Spicy and flavorful, buffalo sauce meets hot dogs for the perfect easy grill or tailgating recipe that will satisfy all the men in your life while still maintaining secretly healthy ingredients!

Ummm, is it really Monday again already? Last week I had Monday AND Tuesday off because Arizona apparently can’t handle rain and the entire Phoenix metro area was basically flooded. Well, it was flooded on Monday. I have no idea why we didn’t have school on Tuesday, but I’m not complaining. I do have to say that it made going back to work on Wednesday, like, ridiculously hard, and now I can’t believe I have to work a real 5 day week. My life is so hard.

I have been the worst about meal planning. When I’m good, I’m so good, and I’m making new recipes multiple times per week, and saving money, and eating great dinners! But then I get busy, and the next thing I know, Steve and I are riding our bikes at 7:3o pm in the dark, and we’re both starving and have no idea what we’re going to eat for dinner.

That night, I remembered when we were about 3 miles from home that we still had hot dogs in the freezer, and it was pretty much the happiest moment of my life. I freaking love hot dogs. It’s silly, but I do. They’re so easy, and so delicious, and the possibilities are endless!

I’m also a freak for buffalo sauce, so the combination? It rocked my world. Also, I’m one of those weird people that eats my hot dog with no bun because I really do just enjoy the taste of it. It don’t be needin’ no breads. But photos, photos need bread. My hot dog on a plate is, uhhh, less than pretty. So you’re welcome for the bread. It’s hangin’ out just for show. 😉

This meal comes together in about 3 seconds. Okay, more like 10 minutes, but that might as well be 3 seconds when it comes to a delicious dinner! Just a few minutes to grill the hot dogs, mix together the sauce, and chop some celery and you are done! That’s how I like my dinner. Ready before I have a chance to back out on cooking and head to Chipotle.

Also, about a million bold flavors is a necessity. I think I’m the opposite of a super taster. Like, I need to taste ALL OF THE THINGS in order to be happy. So if you’re anything like me, these will make you happy too!

*I try to look for a lower in fat turkey or beef dog that is nitrate free. I especially love Fork in the Road (disclosure: they have sent me products in the past, but I loved them even before that!). Also, not all hot dogs are gluten-free. If you eat gluten-free, be sure to check the labels.

Spicy grilled hot dogs smothered in roasted jalapeno and garlic bacon guacamole and topped with cotija cheese. These hot dogs take typical grilling to the next level with their spicy, bold flavors and perfectly contrasting textures.

It’s not like you need a reason to make fancy, delicious, to-die-for guacamole. In fact hunger is reason enough for me, and a fork is a totally acceptable vehicle. However, a spicy sausage may be an even more delicious vehicle.

For a while I was on the fence about hot dogs. Somewhere along the line they became one of those gross foods in my mind that you don’t eat past the age of 7. Ummm, that was a big mistake because for years I missed out on the amazingness that is hot dogs and sausages.

I also believe that all things are better with guacamole. Even the most delicious things can become instantly more delicious when you add guacamole. Juicy burger? Add guac! Simple grilled chicken? Totally different when smothered with avocado-y goodness. A spoon the size of your face? I think you know the answer. 😉

My friends from Fork in the Road happened to send me some of their products to try, and after absolutely loving them at BTP, I knew I was in for a treat! I ended up using the hot links which are perfect for this flavor combination, but you can use any hot dog or sausage you like!

Spicy grilled hot dogs smothered in roasted jalapeno and garlic bacon guacamole and topped with cotija cheese. These hot dogs take typical grilling to the next level with their spicy, bold flavors and perfectly contrasting textures.

Grill hotdogs/sausages to desired doneness, about 5 minutes. Toast buns if desired. Place hotdogs/sausages in buns or on a plate, smother with guacamole, and top with a generous pinch of cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Buns are totally optional. They look prettier, but I ate these bunless and they were absolutely delicious!

So…apparently it’s football season? Or it’s about to be? To be honest, I have absolutely no idea. Sometimes people post things about it on facebook, and as soon as I even read the word football, I immediately think “Ewww” and scroll away.

I went to school at the University of Idaho (yes….Idaho), and football was a BIG deal. We had some big rivalry with Boise State, but our football team was terrible, and I’m pretty sure we never won a single game.

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I’ve never been a sports person. Like, at all. I was always the un-athletic artsy kid, and even now that I have a tumultuous love affair with endurance sports, I have to admit that I still don’t really enjoy watching any of them. I’ve always said the only reason I wanted to go to any sporting event was for the hot dogs. I’ve never had any problem getting excited about food.

I knew I wanted to create a delicious hot dog for our tailgating episode of Drink & Dish, but I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to take it, until I had a little brainstorming sesh with one of my favorite foodies, and before I knew it, I was sold on these jalapeno popper dog. I mean, let’s get real here–it’s a hot dog wrapped in bacon topped with jalapeno cream cheese, then topped with more cheese and fresh jalapenos. It is every bit as delicious as it sounds–the flavors, the textures!–and shockingly light in the calorie department. I mean, it’s no green smoothie, but pair it with some veggies, and it is a delicious meal for any occasion.

The cream cheese mixture is easy to make ahead and take with you to your tailgating event, and the hot dogs come together in minutes! They pair perfectly with Nicole’s game day beer punch. Nicole and I both agreed that this episode of D&D has to be one of our favorites. Check it out!

Place cream cheese, Greek yogurt, 1/2 jalapeno and garlic in food processor. Pulse until well combined.

Wrap a bacon slice around each hot dog and grill over medium heat until hot dog is warmed and bacon is fully cooked, about 4-6 minutes.

To serve, place cooked hot dog inside a hot dog bun (I always toast mine a little on the grill first). Top with cream cheese mixture, a pinch of cheddar cheese and a few jalapeno slices if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Depending on how much cream cheese mixture you like, you may have enough to top a 3rd hot dog if desired.

I’ve developed this kind of ridiculous hot dog obsession. Kinda like the hamburger one, but ya know, with hot dogs. A couple of weeks ago after the 3rd consecutive hot dog recipe, Hermano asked when the heck I decided I liked hot dogs so much.

The truth is, I’ve always been a fan, but unless it was an enormous Cost Co hot dog, it just never seemed like a full meal to me, and I always wanted a hamburger to go with it.

So I decided to make a hot dog that sounds sinful and over the top, but is really healthy enough to eat 2, or eat 1 with a big ol’ side of veggies which is more my style these days.

The low fat beef hot dogs combined with the center cut bacon add healthy meat options that are full of flavor. The sweet barbecue sauce and roasted corn pair perfectly with the salty dog, and then everything is better with cheddar cheese. It’s like a fact. These babies are perfect for 4th of July, any summer cookout, or any time you feel like firing up the grill!

Last Thanksgiving, I made and posted these Skinny Mini Corn Dogs. Well, you may have noticed that since then, the photography on the blog has gotten…umm…better.

Then

Now

Although Steve takes most of the photography, I’ve learned oh so much about food styling since I started this blog. It’s still a challenge for me, as I’m not a visual person, and I have always identified with the “I don’t care what it looks like if it tastes good” way of thought, but I’ve definitely come a long way, and I definitely no longer throw my food on the plate and hope for the best 😉

Now, I employ hand models. Thanks Jas 😉 Anyway, THESE CORN DOGS!! I think of all the food I’ve made in my life, these and my cake batter dip are the two things that ALWAYS disappear. What’s even better is they are so easy!! It’s maybe 15 minutes of working time to make a huge amount perfect for any party, or tailgating if you do that sort of thing (says the girl who despises football).

These babies are dangerous. I could easily go through a dozen without even thinking twice! The good news is, they really are healthy–baked, no oil or butter, and the leanest hot dogs around. In fact, you could probably eat the entire mini muffin tin full for the same amount of fat and calories as 1 regular corn dog!

Skinny Mini Corn Dogs

yield 24-36

1 box cornbread of choice (use gluten-free if desired)

Fat free plain Greek yogurt (amount depends on box)

Unsweetened almond milk (amount depends on box)

1/2 small can medium green chilis

8-10 98% fat free turkey dogs

Directions:

Mix cornbread according to package instructions replacing butter/oil with yogurt and milk with almond milk (reduced fat buttermilk or skim milk would also work), and adding green chilis.

Pour batter into sprayed mini muffin tins, filling only about 1/3-1/2 of each tin.